Pages

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Container Gardens - Part 2

Yesterday I posted about my obsession with surrounding myself with flowers throughout the year and, specifically, about creating beautiful container gardens in the spring. I ended up planting all of the flowers I had in those pictures into 15 containers. It felt so good! Here are a few shots of the containers as they are now...

The plants look a little puny now, but within a few weeks these containers will be filled out and be overflowing in blossoms. A few hints for maintaining container gardens might be:

Soil - Purchase a good quality potting mix. Some come with fertilizer added, which might save you some time and money.

Fertilize - I fertilize (Miracle Grow works well) approximately every other week to keep the plants putting out magnificent blooms.

Drainage - Make sure your pot has adequate drainage. If your container doesn't have a hole in the bottom, drill one. Put a thick layer (at least several inches) of mulch, bark, or rocks in the bottom of your container before you add your soil to facilitate drainage.

Dead Head - For those plants that need dead-heading, do it often! I dead-head every other day. That way the plants are constantly producing beautiful blooms.

Water - In Colorado during the heat of the summer that sometimes means morning and evening, but usually only once a day. Keep the soil moist. Plants in clay or foam pots (more porous) will need more water than those in plastic containers.

Entertaining - If you have a scheduled outdoor event in your yard and you want your containers to be at their best, clip off all the flowers on them about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks before the event. This will ensure new, luscious flowers for the event.

As you plant the flowers into the containers, make sure to leave space around the plants for growth. Avoid packing the plants too tightly.

When I first plant a container, it usually looks a bit sparse. But it doesn't take long for the plants to fill the container. Here is an example of that. This is a photo taken the end of May (last year) just after planting:

This is the same container a month later...

Here are a few more photos from past summers of container gardens in all their glory...

There's nothing that welcomes a guest like a lush, vibrant container overflowing with blossoms situated by your front door. On a patio, container gardens can surround a sitting area with soft fragrances and can create a more charming atmosphere. I hope this post encourages you to plant a container garden, especially if it's something you've never tried. Happy planting!

Wow, those pots are gorgeous!! I like taking pictures of my pots right after I plant them and then compare the growth after a month or two. When you see the flowers everyday you forget how much they have grown.

They look fabulous! I would need you to lead me by the hand and tell me exactly what to buy. It sort of goes right over my head. :(Your containers would cost soooo much money as mature planters! They are gorgeous.gail

Thanks so much Suzanne! I loved looking at all your flowers. I have some flowers and pots just waiting for me to put them together. You had some great tips, and answered a few of my questions I have had as I have been figuring out what I want to do with my plants! Thanks for sharing!!

this was really helpful for me. I think I could be president of plant killers anonymous but every May hope springs eternal and I give it another try. My flowers look so pretty when I bring them home from the nursery but by the 4th of July they look kind of gangly, thin and sad. Maybe you could do some regular posts throughout the summer for us with a black thumb.:)Pam

Two-Toned Tote! Click here to be directed to the pattern and tutorial. Also, find out how to make a sturdy, well-crafted tote!

Bunting Cosmetic Bag Tutorial ... find out how to make this cute cosmetic bag!

A diaper and wet-wipe case... click here to find out how to receive my Dwipe Pattern and Tutorial!

Lil' Boy Car Caddy :: Need a little something to keep your toddler busy? Follow these instructions to make this car caddy for the student driver in your life!

Store anything in these beautiful fabric baskets!

Need an idea for a gift for a little one. Try this easy-to-make crayon caddy. The tutorial is a click away!

Copyright Policies...

Feel free to link to posts on my blog, but please only include one picture. Then I would ask that you link back to my blog and include the name of my blog in your post. Please do not reproduce my content or tutorials, in any language, without my explicit permission even if your intention is not to profit from it. The material at "Just Another Hang Up" blog is copyrighted. Thank you!

Terms of Use: Free Patterns & Tutorials

Feel free to use items made from my tutorials for personal use, gifts or you may make one for a charity/fundraising event. Items made using my tutorials are not to be sold for profit. Please contact me for clarification or requests above and beyond these limitations. Also, my patterns and tutorials are not to be copied and distributed or sold for profit. My patterns and tutorials are copyrighted. Thank you for respecting my wishes.

I'm truly honored. CSI chose my "Smith Art Gallery" as one of their Top 10 Projects of 2010!

I made the cut in the "Neighborhood Gift Challenge!" Thank you for featuring my organic facial scrubs as one of your favorites!